Completely flexible expander-type device consisting of at least two gripping elements, preferably 4, 6 or 8 elements

ABSTRACT

A completely flexible expander device including at least two gripping elements, each of a material of a resilient strip, either a single strip folded onto itself in the lengthwise direction L thereof, or two vertically adjacent strips having a length L. The at least two gripping elements are connected to one another via a transverse linking element manufactured by directly weaving fibers of fabric and latex together, and are optionally finished at ends thereof by another element for linking by weaving.

TECHNICAL SECTOR

The invention relates to the technical sector of gymnastic, physical therapy and muscle strengthening devices. It relates more especially to the field of expanders, that is to say devices allowing muscle contraction, in particular those comprising a resilient strip.

PRIOR ART

Devices composed of latex strips, or resilient strips made of tape, or composed of tubes with handles at the ends, are known.

In particular, the Applicant filed the patent FR 91/11 11174.

This patent relates to a resilient-strip-type device made of fabric covering latex fibers consisting of 8 elements. The latex fibers, of course, are used to impart resilience to the fabric, and therefore to the strip.

In order to implement this device, there was created a resilient strip that is doubled over onto itself. Then, transverse seams are applied, evenly spaced all along this strip. In fact, an expander-type device containing several, preferably 8, gripping spaces is achieved.

This has the purpose of allowing holding of the device at different places on the strip and in this way varying the resistance forces, and makes it possible to perform many exercises, using different parts of the body.

For 8 elements, it therefore is necessary to have 7 transverse seams.

These seams are implemented in fully known manner with a sewing thread stitched transversely over the entire width of the strip.

One of the major drawbacks of this seaming is the fact that stitching the fabric (and therefore the resilient latex) damages both the fabric and the latex, in this way weakening the device.

In fact, the Applicant noticed that with repeated, intense, etc. exercises, wear and deterioration of the properties of the strip appeared.

This means, in particular, that the resilience of the strip (first and essential function) no longer is identical to the initial resilience.

In certain cases, it even was noticed that the strip sustained a breaking in places, making the device unusable.

Despite research to improve his initial device, to date the Applicant had not succeeded in finding solutions to the drawbacks.

TECHNICAL PROBLEM POSED

Thus there exists a real need to create an expander-type device, with a fabric strip containing latex making it possible to provide a maximal resistance, while guaranteeing a durable and stable resilience over time, without breaking in places, including during repeated and intense exercises.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention therefore relates to a completely flexible expander-type device consisting of at least two gripping elements, preferably 4, 6, 8. The only limitation on the number is that linked to human morphology.

The preferred embodiment of the resilient device is the following:

A resilient strip consisting of a resilient element, preferably a latex strip or threads, preferably latex threads that are covered with fabric.

The individual skilled in the art knows fully that weaving is the result of the intertwining, in the same plane, of threads placed in the direction of the warp and of threads placed perpendicular to the threads of the warp, in the direction of the woof.

Of course, it will be possible to use other resilient materials accessible to the individual skilled in the art. Latex is preferred here in the sense that it is the one that provides the best guarantees in terms of resilience and sturdiness.

Two strips are superposed over their length (or 1 strip is folded over onto itself over its length) and at least one transverse connection means is created over the two superposed strips (and possibly at each end) and in this way defining at least two gripping means which are “loops” formed between the transverse connection or connections, preferably several 4, 6, still more preferred 8.

By transverse connection means there is understood here the fact that the strips (or the strip folded over onto itself, also forming 2 strips) are joined in at least one place, in transverse manner; in this way delimiting the at least two gripping means on both sides of the said transverse connection means.

The transverse connection means according to this invention is a “weaving”, that is to say that the latex and fabric fibers are woven directly together, at places predefined by the user (generally, the same places used for the said “loops”).

The said “loops” will be proportioned and will be positioned so that the user is able to insert his hands, and/or his feet therein.

It will be entirely possible to devise other embodiments for the connection means, other than transverse, such as dotted, oblique, over half of the width, etc. . . . Only the individual skilled in the art will appreciate the relevance of using one or the other form according to his wishes.

For obvious reasons of sturdiness, handling, however, the Applicant strongly recommends the use of full transverse-type connection means, that is to say a weaving over the entire width.

The “width” (I) is defined as being the direction perpendicular to the direction of the strip which will be the length (L).

It was noticed that surprisingly, the weaving implemented absolutely did not damage the fabric fibers or the latex fibers, since the non-resilient threads are woven between them to form the gripping elements, and this without impairing the latex strands.

This guarantees a maximum sturdiness and an optimal resilience, including after intense and repeated stresses.

The Applicant performed a series of tests (with the aid of a pneumatic jack the movement of which is adjusted to exert a traction of at least 200 kg, in the lengthwise direction) on a gripping element. It was noticed that the resilient strip of the prior art was rendered completely unusable starting from the 1^(st) stress (the seam had “exploded”), whereas with the same applied stress, it took 15 stress cycles to damage the present device.

In this way the sturdiness of the present device is fully demonstrated.

In addition, the Applicant noticed that, because the connection element is a weaving, and because the latex and fabric fibers are not “blocked” at the seam by the seam proper, a noteworthy gain in resilience is achieved. Initial tests make it possible to note that the gain is significant and in excess of 10%.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention will be explained in detail from the following Figures.

FIG. 1 shows a resilient strip according to this invention consisting of at least two gripping elements.

FIG. 2 shows the same resilient strip stretched out.

FIG. 3 shows the strip in a view of FIG. 1 from above.

FIG. 4 shows the resilient strip stretched out by a user and held at the gripping elements.

FIG. 5 shows another view of the resilient strip.

FIG. 6 shows a resilient strip consisting of several gripping elements.

FIG. 7 shows the resilient strip consisting of 8 gripping elements.

As seen on FIG. 1, the resilient strip (1) according to this invention consists of at least two gripping elements (2, 3).

As seen at FIG. 4, each of the gripping elements (2 or 3) is composed of an upper part (5) and a lower part (6), forming a “loop.”

The transverse connection element (4), implemented by weaving of the strands, joins the two gripping elements (2, 3). It will be noted that the two gripping elements may be of identical or different length (L/2).

As seen on FIG. 2, when the said gripping elements (2, 3) are stretched to the maximum, the said transverse connection element (4) will have a tendency to undergo a slight increase in width (compared to FIG. 1). This is because the connection element is a weaving and not a seam (which seam, of course, cannot undergo deformation).

It also is possible to weave, in addition to the transverse connection elements (4), the gripping elements formed in this way, over their length (L/2) in order to create “pocket”-type elements (P), that is to say delimited by the two transverse connection elements located on the left and on the right, then by weaving (T) of the upper part (5) of the gripping element with the lower part (6) at the upper (7 a and 7 b) or lower (8 a and 8 b) edges thereof.

In this case, it is obvious that there will be gripping elements (2′) (3′) etc. on the said strip.

It also is possible to provide for one or more gripping elements between the pockets P2 and P3.

It also is possible to provide for a single pocket (P) between the gripping elements (2′, 3′).

It also is possible for the pocket or the pockets (P) to be placed at the ends of the resilient strip.

The resilient strip is composed of 2, 4, 6 or 8 gripping elements some of which possibly are separated by pockets (P).

In this way, a user may place a heavy element in the said pocket or pockets (Pi) (table leg, foot, etc.) in order to hold the resilient strip in position, while the user will do exercises using one or more other gripping elements.

According to a preferred embodiment, the resilient strip is composed of 8 gripping elements each 10 cm long and 5 cm wide.

Of course, other dimensions may be chosen.

The invention also covers all the embodiments and all the applications that will be directly accessible to the individual skilled in the art upon reading of this application, and from his own knowledge. 

1-6. (canceled)
 7. A completely flexible expander-type device comprising: at least two gripping elements of a resilient strip-type material, either a single strip folded over onto itself along its length L, or two superposed strips of length L, wherein the at least two gripping elements are joined together by transverse connection elements implemented by weaving of fabric and latex fibers directly together, or are finished at their ends with another connection element by weaving.
 8. A device according to claim 7, wherein the resilient strip is a latex covered by a fabric, or non-resilient threads.
 9. A device according to claim 7, wherein each of the gripping elements includes an upper part and a lower part, forming a loop.
 10. A device according to claim 7, further comprising weaving, in addition to the transverse connection elements, gripping elements formed by the weaving, over their length (L/2), to create pocket-type elements, that are delimited by two transverse connection elements located on a left and on a right, then by weaving the upper part of the gripping element with the lower part at upper or lower edges thereof.
 11. A device according to claim 10, wherein the resilient strip is composed of 2, 4, 6 or 8 gripping elements some of which can be separated by the pocket-type elements.
 12. A device according to claim 7, wherein the resilient strip includes 8 gripping elements, each gripping element being 10 cm long and 5 cm wide. 